Pineapple Plant Varieties

Dozens of pineapple varieties are cultivated around the world.

The pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a member of the Bromeliad family, beloved for its thick-skinned tropical fruits. The pineapple is believed to have been cultivated for thousands of years in the tropical Americas, and has been traded internationally since the early 19th century. As the pineapple's popularity has grown, dozens of cultivars have popped up, each displaying its own flavor and growth characteristics. Pineapples are roughly divided into four categories: Smooth Cayenne, Queen, Abacaxi and Red Spanish. Pineapples are tropical plants that generally do best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11.

"Smooth Cayenne"

"Smooth Cayenne" is a spineless pineapple cultivar that boasts sugary, low-fiber flesh and striped leaves. According to Purdue University, "Smooth Cayenne" accounts for 90 percent of the world's canned fruit, despite the cultivar's susceptibility to disease. Varieties of "Smooth Cayenne" include "Hilo," a compact variety that was developed in Hawaii in 1960; "St. Michael," an exceptionally sweet variety that lacks the highly acidic, tart flavor of most pineapples; and "Giant Kew," a large-fruited variety popular in India that may weigh as much as 22 pounds.

"Abacaxi"

"Abacaxi" is a spiny, disease-resistant variety that produces tall pineapples marked by white, nearly translucent flesh that is tender, juicy and rich. Though considered one of the most delicious pineapple varieties, the plant, and its many varieties, ship poorly due to their fragility. "Sugarloaf," a variety with equally tender, rich flesh and a conical or round shape, is derived from "Abacaxi," and several strains have been developed from "Sugarloaf." "Sugarloaf" strains include "Black Jamaica" and "Montufar," a juicy, yellow-fruited variety.

"Queen"

Also known as "Common Rough," "Queen" is a compact, dwarf variety that has a better tolerance of cold and disease than "Smooth Cayenne." The plant produces dark yellow, fragrant fruits with a small core. It is more commonly used to eat fresh, as it does not can well. "Queen" varieties include South African "Natal Queen," and "MacGregor," a firm-fleshed fruit that grows from a spreading, broad-leaved and robust plant.

"Red Spanish"

"Red Spanish" is a tough variety grown in the West Indies, Mexico, and Venezuela. Fruits are light yellow, high in fiber and aromatic. The fruit is not nearly as tender as "Abacaxi," so it doesn't suffer as much from shipping and handling. Varieties include "Cabezona," a large-fruited variety that must be cut off the plant with a machete due to its large, strong stem, and "Valera," a small variety that has purple- and green-tinged, narrow leaves and purple-skinned fruits with white flesh.

About the Author

Michelle Wishhart is a writer based in Portland, Ore. She has been writing professionally since 2005, starting with her position as a staff arts writer for City on a Hill Press, an alternative weekly newspaper in Santa Cruz, Calif. An avid gardener, Wishhart worked as a Wholesale Nursery Grower at Encinal Nursery for two years. Wishhart holds a Bachelor of Arts in fine arts and English literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz.